The Wales international has been playing on despite the injury, but said he was keen to get an operation out of the way so that he can be fit for the start of next season.

And Liverpool have now taken the decision to proceed with surgery this week, meaning Allen will be ready to return in time for the 2013-14 campaign.

Liverpool first-team doctor Zaf Iqbal said: "Joe Allen is due to have a left shoulder operation tomorrow morning in Liverpool and will be ready to return to football at the beginning of next season."

Allen was forced to withdraw from the Wales squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers earlier this week due to his shoulder problem.

The midfielder signed for the Anfield club last summer, following manager Brendan Rodgers from Swansea, in a £15 million deal. He has made 37 appearances for Rodgers' side but has recently found game time hard to come by since the return to fitness of Lucas and the signing of Philippe Coutinho from Inter Milan.